An iconic paved road to Furkajoch in the Austrian Alps
Austria, europe
29 km
1,761 m
hard
Year-round
# Furkajoch: A Scenic Alpine Adventure
Want to experience some serious Alpine drama? The Furkajoch is calling your name. Perched at 1,761 meters (5,778 ft), this mountain pass cuts right through Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost state, connecting the Bregenzer Ach valley with the Frutz River valley.
The 29-kilometer (18-mile) journey runs west to east, starting in Rankweil (the second-largest town in the Feldkirch district) and winding up in Damüls—a snow-lover's paradise and official "snowiest village in the world" since 2006. Trust us, this place gets *buried* in winter.
The L51 is fully paved, which is great, but don't let that fool you. This road gets steep and narrow in places, keeping you on your toes around every hairpin turn. Plus, you'll want to keep an eye out for rockslides along the way. Winter driving? Forget about it—the pass closes seasonally because Mother Nature doesn't mess around up here.
If you're chasing stunning Alpine scenery and don't mind a bit of white-knuckle driving, the Furkajoch delivers both in spades. Just hit it during the warmer months when the pass is actually open, and you're in for an unforgettable ride.
Where is it?
An iconic paved road to Furkajoch in the Austrian Alps is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.0138, 12.9794
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 29 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,761 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.0138, 12.9794
Related Roads in europe
hardFlorea
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Florea Peak in Argeș County, Romania is calling your name! This bad boy tops out at 1,931m (6,335ft), making it one of the highest drives in the country. But hold on tight, it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking a bumpy gravel road to the summit. Expect a steep climb, and if you're afraid of heights, maybe sit this one out! Snow is a real possibility in winter, so access can be totally blocked. After it rains, things get slippery and loose gravel can catch you off guard. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But if you're prepared, the views are epic!
hardAlto de Gredos
🇪🇸 Spain
Alto de Gredos is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.768m (5,800ft) above the sea level, located in the south of the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain. Located in the Gredos mountain range, the road to the summit, also known as Plataforma de Gredos, is asphalted. It’s called AV-931. At the summit is a big parking lot. It’s a toll road. The road can be closed anytime due the traffic. The road was built in 1945. The summit has been featured on Vuelta a España race. Expect a drive pretty steep. The ascent is 4.5km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 282 meters. The average gradient is 6.40%. The road to Miradoiro do Limo is littered with outstanding sea-landscapes Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhere is Sella Nevea Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Sella Nevea Pass, a seriously stunning route chilling at a high elevation in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. You'll find this gem nestled near Chiusaforte and Cave del Predil. The road you'll be tackling is the Strada Provinciale 76 (SP76) — mostly paved, though expect a few patches here and there where it's had some TLC. But hey, that just adds to the character, right? Just keep an eye out for those classic Italian hairpin turns, especially when you're snaking through a few unlit tunnels – adds a bit of thrill to the drive! How long is this epic stretch of road? Well, it connects Chiusaforte to Cave del Predil. Get ready for views that'll knock your socks off.
extremeThe Burway is a dangerously steep drive in Shropshire
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: you're in Shropshire, in the UK's West Midlands, ready to tackle the legendary Burway! This isn't just any drive; it's an experience. Starting near the charming market town of Church Stretton, this paved ribbon of road snakes its way up to the top of Long Mynd, a mountain plateau that reaches a whopping 488 meters (1,601 feet) high. The views from the summit? Absolutely breathtaking, stretching across Shropshire and beyond. Trust me, you'll want to have your camera ready. But here's the thing: The Burway is not for the faint of heart. It's narrow, seriously narrow – like, one-car-wide-in-places narrow. And steep! We're talking gradients up to 20% in sections. There are sheer drops down the hillside with absolutely no barrier protection. Caravans? Forget about it. Beginners beware! The whole adventure is about 7.88 kilometers (4.9 miles) of pure driving thrill, ending at Longmynd (where it's known as The Port Way). That initial climb out of Church Stretton is particularly intense, gaining 281 meters in just 3.24 kilometers (2.01 miles), with an average gradient of 8.6%. Oh, and one more thing: winter. The Burway is notorious for being treacherous in winter. Deep snow makes it impassable, and even a bit of ice or frost can send you sliding over the edge. So, unless you're a seasoned pro with a serious love for white-knuckle drives, maybe save this one for a sunny day. But when the weather is right? It's an unforgettable ride.